The royal candle is like a flaming torch, a flame of light.
Yes, the mullein is truly one of the light plants of the plant kingdom. It has also been called the Virgin Mary church candle. With the mullein, the sacred feminine was therefore present in nature for a long time, until the plant changed its name to mullein. A beautiful legend from the continent tells that Mary carried the leaves of the mullein in her hands. When she met a sick person, she touched them with the leaves. The sick person then became healthy. The legend says something about the strong faith that people once had in the healing powers of plants.
The royal jelly holds a secret. If you put its flowers, root or leaves in alcohol, it will gradually take on a night-black hue. The plant thus encompasses both light and darkness. I therefore see it as an image of life itself.
A woman offered me tea made from mullein flowers and said that it was like drinking sunlight. That's how I perceived this infusion too. On another occasion, she served me tea made from the plant's leaves and said that the infusion made her feel uplifted in her mind. I could also sense this when I drank the tea. Like mullein, it has the shape of a pillar, I felt somewhat lifted.
The photograph is from Biskops Arnö's dreamy herb garden, a place I wish everyone could visit in their lifetime. When does mullein bloom? In June-September.
At Örtfabriken, mullein is found in our tincture Rooted Life , drops that you take internally for grounding and self-esteem.
Text and image by herbalist Sara Bonadea George
